Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Weekend with Her Bachelor (Bachelor Auction Returns Book 4) by Jeannie Moon - Review



Synopsis:

Bachelor Gavin Clark is determined to help Marietta reach its fundraising goal for the town's hospital charity. So the handsome emergency physician is up for almost anything on his date with the lucky winning bidder.

Little did he know his former high school crush, Ally Beaumont, just so happened to be that lucky winner. Their date whisks them off to her friend's destination wedding at a romantic, luxury ranch resort in the western Montana mountains and close quarters, a shared history, and a magical location push the two old friends into each other's arms...

Is Gavin and Ally's story just beginning, or will their romance end with the weekend?

The Bachelor Auction Returns series
Book 1: Bachelor for Hire by Charlene Sands
Book 2: Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman
Book 3: Seducing the Bachelor by Sinclair Jayne
Book 4: Weekend with Her Bachelor by Jeannie Moon



My Review:

The bachelor auction wraps up the series with another great story.  This emotional second chance romance will have you begging for more.

Dr. Gavin Clark will do anything to help his high school Coach reach his goal for the hospital heliport.  As an ER physician at the hospital, this fundraiser is close to his heart.  Gavin was more than surprised to find out the winning bid was none other than his high school crush. 

Event planner Ally Beaumont is back in Montana for her ex-fiance’s wedding.  When she finds out there is a bachelor auction in her hometown of Marietta, she decides it would be the perfect way to get a date for the wedding.  She didn’t want to show up alone to her ex’s wedding that she worked so hard on planning.  When she finds out Gavin is one of the bachelors, she will do anything to win a date with him.   

Ally and Gavin‘s attraction to each other grows as they spend time together.  But is it enough for an everlasting love or will end as quickly as it started?

This book was very believable and the author packed a lot of details into the short story. 

 

Friday, April 22, 2016

Seducing the Bachelor (The Bachelor Auction Returns Book 3) by Sinclair Jayne - Review






Synopsis:

Single mom and veterinary student Talon Reese thinks she is volunteering her time, not her heart or her body, for Marietta Montana’s second annual Bachelor Auction. But when Bachelor number 3 hits the stage, igniting every hormone she forgot she possessed, she’s questioning her vow of no more men. With a man this drool worthy, some fun doesn’t have to be off the table, even if she's not looking for a relationship.

Special Forces sniper Colt Ewing blew out of Marietta on graduation day and never looked back, until his former football coach asked for his help. Standing on the auction block is a tough mission for Colt until he meets his winning bidder, a woman who’s as warm and friendly as he is aloof and silent. All night her mouth has been creating sexual fantasies, so when she opens it to boldly proposition him, there’s no way in hell he’s going to say no.

But as Colt and Talon burn up the sheets, he begins to forget why he hates this town, and Talon wonders if she can learn to trust enough to fall in love. But will that be enough to convince him to stay?

The Bachelor Auction Returns series
Book 1: Bachelor for Hire by Charlene Sands
Book 2: Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman
Book 3: Seducing the Bachelor by Sinclair Jayne
Book 4: Weekend with Her Bachelor by Jeannie Moon


My Review:

Love often happens when you least expect it.

Colt Ewing felt like an auction steer.  But he would do anything for Coach D, even stand in front of a room full of women being sold to the highest bidder.  As long as it meant Marietta would be able to get a helipad at the hospital, he is willing to do it.  Colt had no idea he would get wrangled into a bachelor auction when he came home to deal with his uncle's ranch after his death. 

Talon Reese was just helping out at Gray's Saloon the night of the bachelor auction.  She just wanted to finish her shift and head home with her son and do some studying.  Talon was blindsided by her friends when she found out they bid on bachelor number 3 as a gift for her.  She doesn't have time for this.  She is focusing in her veterinary degree and raising her adopted son on her own.  There is no room for dating even if it is for just one weekend. 

Talon's willpower goes out the window when it comes to Colt.  He has awakened something in her that she thought was long gone.  Talon has also done a number on Colt.  Will what they have together in the short time be enough for an everlasting relationship? 

This steamy romance that was hard to put down.  Talon and Colt had great chemistry together.  The author fit a lot of details in this short book so you really understood how the characters felt and where they were coming from.  
 

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Love, Alabama by Susan Sands - Review

Synopsis:

Emma Laroux’s a fallen Southern beauty queen whose past is barely whispered about in her small town. But the secrets and lies surrounding her scandal still haunt her, and something about Matthew Pope may hold the answers...if only she could put her finger on it.

Matthew Pope wonders what awful karmic thing he’s done to land him in Podunk, Alabama. But when he sees Emma Laroux again after all this time, he knows he’s still the only one who holds the key to unlocking the truth of her past…

Will a shared moment in time ten years ago threaten the best thing that’s ever happened to them – each other?


My Review:

A sweet small town romance that grabs your attention right from the start.  

Former Miss Alabama Emma Laroux is happy with her life as a pageant coach and helping her sister on her new cooking show.  Emma doesn’t need a man in her life, but the show producer Matthew Pope stirs up something in Emma when they start spending time together.  Emma decides it’s finally time to get serious about dating again.  

Emma and Matthew actually met ten years ago when she was drugged at a frat house where she was hanging out with her boyfriend.  Emma doesn’t remember who the man who rescued her from the crazy scene, and Matthew doesn’t know how to tell Emma that it was him.  Will the secret Matthew is keeping end the relationship as quickly as it began?

Another story in the book is Emma’s ex-boyfriend Tad, who is the mayor of Ministry Alabama where Emma and her family live.  He is secretly still in love with Emma though he has a wife and daughter.  He remains very possessive of Emma and any man she dates, Tad runs out of town before they become too serious.  When Tad realizes Matthew is the guy who rescued Emma the night of the party, he becomes even more possessive with Emma.  

This book was very well written and had me hooked from the start.  There are a couple other tiny stories woven into the main ones as well, but I don’t want to give away too many spoilers.  I enjoyed the characters very much and they had come to feel like old friends by the time I was finished reading the book.  This is actually the second book in a series, but it works very well as a stand alone if you missed the first book. 

 




Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Island in the Sea: A Majorca Love Story by Anita Hughes - Review






Synopsis:

Juliet Lyman is a senior executive at Yesterday Records. Music is her passion and she's very good at her job. That's why her famously philanthropic boss Gideon sends her to Majorca, Spain to work with a very tortured, but talented client. Lionel Harding is one of the best song writers of the 20th century, the multi-Grammy award-winning lyricist of the third most recorded song in history. But now he's 42 and six months overdue on the his latest paid assignment. Juliet is not leaving Majorca without either new lyrics or a very large check.

To Juliet, business comes first. Emotions are secondary, and love isn't even on the menu. But to Lionel, love is everything, and he blames Gideon for his broken heart. He's determined to show Juliet that nothing is more important than love, but Juliet is just as determined to get Lionel to create the music that made him famous. If she can sign up local talent, even better. Her new friend Gabriella has a voice like an angel, but she's not interested in fame. Her grandmother, Lydia, wants the world for Gabriella, and she wants Juliet's help to give it to her.

As her professional and personal lives start to mix for the first time, Juliet is forced to reevaluate her priorities. Gideon hasn't been totally honest, and love may be the only thing that gives them all what they need.


My Review:

A beautifully written story about record executive Juliet Lyman who is sent to Majorca to meet with Lionel Harding to convince him to write the songs he was supposed to have finished months ago or give back the money that he was advanced.  Juliet's job is on the line if she can't get Lionel to comply. 

Lionel is a stubborn man who drinks and smokes too much, but him and Juliet form a close friendship during their time together.  Lionel has his reasons for why he is the way he is and Juliet is about to find out.

Juliet makes several friends while on Majorca and spends her free time with them.  Gabriella works at her family restaurant and has dreams of marrying her boyfriend and opening their own restaurant.  Lydia, Gabrielle's grandmother, gives Juliet some advice that she really needs to hear.  She also meets Henry, a tennis player, who she gets very serious with.  When Juliet realizes she is in love, but it isn't with Henry, she stops seeing him and gathers the courage to confront her true love.  Will Juliet finally find happiness and love or will it all come to an end when she returns to Los Angeles? 

This is the perfect escape in a book.  It had everything that I love in a story, great writing, an exotic setting, realistic characters and a story that you never want to end. 
 

Falling for Her Bachelor (Bachelor Auction Returns Book 2) by Robin Bielman - Review






Synopsis:

When Navy firefighter Nick Palotay returns to Marietta to go on the bachelor auction block for a good cause, he expects it to be risk free. But when he needs someone safe to bid on him and his sister's best friend is coaxed into stepping up, Nick isn’t prepared for the effect Cassidy has on him. She sends his mind to all kinds of dirty places…places his battered heart can’t afford.

Freelance photographer Cassidy Ware is in waaay over her head. She’s always been Nick’s other little sister, but she’s all grown up now and just a glance from him leaves her hot and bothered. Still, she can stay immune to his charms and keep him at an emotional distance because she’s got an agenda, too. She’ll help the too-handsome Nick with his charitable deed, and, in return, he’ll help her keep an unwelcome suitor at bay.

A deal’s a deal, but when their “business transaction” turns into more pleasure than duty, can they walk away from each other without losing what matters most?

The Bachelor Auction Returns
Book 1: Bachelor for Hire by Charlene Sands
Book 2: Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman
Book 3: Seducing the Bachelor by Sinclair Jayne
Book 4: Weekend with Her Bachelor by Jeannie Moon


My Review: 

An exciting fast paced romance.

Marietta’s star football player and war hero Nick Palotay was back in Marietta for Coach Downey’s bachelor auction fundraiser.  When Nick finds out crazy Mandy is willing to outbid everyone to have the weekend away with him, Nick asks his sister to find someone to outbid Mandy.  He is willing to cover the bid just to avoid being with Mandy. 

Freelance photographer Cassidy Ware has been best friends with Rowan, Nick’s sister, since they were young girls.  Cassidy had a secret crush on Nick for a long time but she is finally over it.  When Rowan asks Cassidy to outbid everyone in the auction, she is happy to do it.  But she has a plan of her own.  She needs a date to the photography association dinner and she wants Nick to accompany her so another photographer will finally stop making passes at her. 

Will Nick and Cassidy be able to remain just friends or will they give into the desires that are building as they spend time together? 

I really enjoyed Nick and Cassidy’s story.  They were perfect for each other.  They both helped each other overcome tragedies of their pasts and learned to trust love again.  I felt it was a perfect pairing of characters and the story was outlined very well. 

 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Sweet Texas Fire (Sweet Texas Secrets) by Nicole Flockton - Review






Synopsis:

Small town. Big secrets. Welcome to Sweet Ridge.

Gage Cooper has always wanted the family cabin. Not only for the oil on the property, but as a way to prove to his father that Gage's past doesn't define his future. When his dad wills the land to stranger Charlotte Wilkinson and all Gage gets is a mysterious key, he's determined to do anything to get his rightful inheritance back.

Charlotte Wilkinson never expected to inherit a piece of property in Sweet Ridge, Texas - the Aussie businesswoman is focused on building an environmental analyst career here in the States. But the moment arrogant oil-man Gage Cooper walks into her office accusing her of seducing his father, all plans for selling the property to him fly out the window.

Then fate threatens to send her back to Australia and the dueling duo are forced to accept a fake marriage to keep their dreams alive. But as they discover common ground and a surprising chemistry together, suddenly Gage must decide what's worth more: the land he's always coveted or a future with Charlotte.


My Review:

The key to everything is happiness

When Jack Cooper passed away, his three sons were baffled as to why they didn’t inherit they expected, only a small memento and a strange message.  Gage Cooper expected to inherit the oil rich land his father told him would be his, but to his surprise, it was left to a woman he barely knew and he ended up with a key that he had no idea where it went. 

Charlotte Wilkinson only met Jack Cooper a few times when she was passing through Sweet Ridge Texas, but they hit it off pretty good and became friends.  She was shocked to find out he left her some land and the house that was on it.  What Charlotte didn’t expect was for Jack’s son to be the stubborn oilman she has been doing business with. 

As an Australian citizen, Charlotte’s work visa is about to run out.  She will do anything to stay in Texas and working for the company she loves.  Gage just wants his land and comes up with an idea that will help them both.  After a year, Charlotte can sell the land to Gage and when they divorce, she will have her green card.  It’s a win-win for them both.  Or is it? 

This was a good book.  The tension between Gage and Charlotte made the story fun.  But when they finally fell in love, it was even better.  The story was easy to visualize and the characters were interesting.  Finding out where the key that Gage inherited fit was another story on its own.   I also have to mention a cute kitten names Oil Slick was in the story that made me smile too.   

Thursday, April 7, 2016

The Real Thing by Tina Ann Forkner - Review





Synopsis:

Sometimes you have to don a pair of cowgirl boots...

Manda Marshall is ready to leave heartache behind when she marries Keith Black, a champion saddle bronc cowboy and man of her dreams. But going from the serenity of small town Tennessee to the exhilaration of the rodeo, nothing can prepare her for being a cowboy’s wife. Becoming the new stepmom to Keith’s little boy and teenaged daughter has Manda relying on her deep sense of longing for a family and budding love for her stepchildren to strengthen their bond.

Manda’s desire of being a rodeo cowboy’s wife begins to take second place as she works to reinvent a life for herself and new family, but when mysterious phone calls from Keith’s missing ex-wife dredge up the past, Manda finds her marriage and family in an unusual and heart wrenching dilemma. The life she had worked so hard to build is suddenly redefined and her commitment to her husband and family is tested.

What Manda discovers has the power to heal or break her family in this emotional tale of cowboys, rodeo queens, and what it really means to ride beside a cowboy and his family, no matter the risk.


My Review:

A brilliant tale about the ups and downs of life and finding happiness in a second marriage.

When Manda Marshall married three time world champion rodeo star Keith Black, she knew she had some trials ahead of her.  She would be raising Keith’s children who were slow to warm up to the idea of a new mother.  They would be living in the same house that Keith shared with his ex-wife who no one knew where she was.  It was like she just vanished into thin air.  Would Keith’s ex ever try to come back home or see him again?  And then there are the rodeo queens….. 

Manda and Keith are enjoying life as newlyweds when Keith finds out the truth about his ex-wife Violet.  That is when everything changes.  Violet is in a nursing home with early onset Alzheimer’s.  Manda is forced to live with the knowledge that even though Keith loves her, he also still cares very much about Violet and wants to be there for her. 

As beautiful as life can be, it can also be confusing, heartbreaking and very messy.  Manda struggles with an unplanned pregnancy and worries if she will lose the child like she did in the past.  She juggles working with her sister at the shop they own together, helping Keith’s daughter get ready for her prom, running the household and taking trips with Keith to the rodeo or to visit Violet.  Then a bomb is dropped on her by one of Keith’s oldest friends.  Keith has a secret that he has been keeping from Manda. 

This story is one that is easy to get hooked on.  It is well written and thought out.  You can tell the author did all the research to make it as real as possible.  The characters are flawed and they come with baggage much like people in the real world do.  But it’s how they work through everything that would tear most couples apart and how they never lose their faith in love.   

 

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Going All the Way (Knights of Passion Book 1) by Megan Ryder - Review






Synopsis:

He’s looking for redemption.
After destroying his reputation, Jason Friar is desperate to make a comeback in Major League Baseball. The only team who will have him is the perennial cellar dwellers, the Georgia Knights, who are looking for a leader for their struggling team. With the contract comes a leash, held by a sexy image consultant with whom he had a hot fling...

She’s looking for respect.
After being blamed for the collapse of a political candidate’s campaign, Stacia Kendall needs a new opportunity to prove herself to her father, a prominent and powerful Senator. Her one chance is to redeem the image of Jason Friar and not succumb to the heat simmering between them, a heat she knows so well...

Can Stacia help Jason find the redemption he needs, while protecting her heart?


My Review: 

When a secret gets out about the political candidate that Stacia Kendall is working with, she loses her job.  Her best friend is there to pick up the pieces and takes Stacia out for drinks to help her blow off steam.  When Stacia spots a lone man in the bar, she sets her eyes on him and makes her move and they end up back at his hotel room.  The most amazing night of her life was also her biggest mistake.     

Jason Friar is ready to put his past behind him and play baseball again.  When he is accepted by the Georgia Knights, he is told he needs to keep a clean image and focus solely on the game.  Jason is told he will be working with an image consultant.  He had no idea it would be the woman that he just had a one night stand with. 

This was an entertaining book with two characters who are total opposites.  Stacia is a good girl and Jason is the stereotypical bad boy jock.  I thought the author did a good job bringing these two characters together and the rest of the story. 
 



Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Bachelor for Hire (Bachelor Auction Returns Book 1) by Charlene Sands - Review






Synopsis:

She needed him to guard her body, in more ways than one…

Ex-Army sergeant and security expert, Cody Matthews recently walked away from his company to work The Lucky B Ranch just outside of Marietta, Montana. The ranch is his refuge, but his hiding out is short-lived when he’s recruited into the Marietta Bachelor Auction and his high school ex-crush bids a small fortune to spend one weekend with him.

Hollywood starlet, Hayley Dawn O'Malley has had decent, honest, sexy Code Matthews on the brain ever since she left Marietta after high school to pursue her dreams. But now she’s back in town and someone is threatening her. Cody, a natural-born protector, is the only man she trusts to keep her safe.

Spending their weekend date in a remote cabin, Cody plays the role of reluctant bodyguard, yet Hayley isn’t going to let the tormented man deny his feelings for her, no matter the threat to her body or her heart.

The Bachelor Auction Returns
Book 1: Bachelor for Hire by Charlene Sands
Book 2: Falling for Her Bachelor by Robin Bielman
Book 3: Seducing the Bachelor by Sinclair Jayne
Book 4: Weekend with Her Bachelor by Jeannie Moon


My Review: 

Security Expert Code Maxwell once loved Hayley Dawn O’Malley.  But she broke his heart when she moved to Hollywood to become an actress.  Hayley is has returned to Marietta for some downtime between movies.  Code doesn’t want anything to do with Hayley.  He doesn’t need any female complications right now and he sure doesn’t need to fall for Hayley again. 

Hayley needs Code’s help.  It appears a stalker has followed her.  She is scared and she wants to hire Code to protect her.  But her former good friend Code has turned her away. 

Hayley has another opportunity to get Code’s help, but it’s playing dirty.  Code has offered a weekend date in the Bachelor Auction and Hayley wins him by outbidding everyone with her $10,000 offer.  Code is a good sport.  After all, the money is for a good cause.  When things get out of hand and Code sees how scared Hayley is after a couple more encounters from her stalker, he takes her to his uncle’s cabin where no one can find her.  She will be safe there.  But it will be a struggle for Code to resist Hayley’s charm spending time together in a small cabin.    

I enjoyed this quick read.  Code and Hayley’s reunion was a sweet afternoon escape and a great kickoff to the Bachelor Auction series. 
 



Monday, April 4, 2016

Sweet Texas Kiss (Sweet Texas Secrets) by Monica Tillery - Review





Synopsis:

Small town. Big secrets. Welcome to Sweet Ridge.
The Cooper brothers receive the shock of their lives when their deceased father, owner of the lucrative Guac Ole company, wills away their inheritances to three random women.
No one's more surprised when Jack Cooper leaves the family estate to music superstar Macy Young than his oldest son. Seeing his childhood memories being handed over to his high school rival - the first woman to break his heart - stings, especially when Gavin is left only a pair of old reading glasses and a cryptic note. Luckily, Macy can't sell the house for one year - plenty of time for Gavin to find a way to get it back.
Living in the harsh spotlight of country music fame has cost Macy, and a little hometown peace and quiet just might heal her soul. But giving up and giving back Gavin's greatest prize may not be the tune she plans to sing.
Can a country star and a country veterinarian find a way to bury their animosity and rediscover their first love in the process?


My review:

A brilliant story about going back home and finding love when you least expect it.

Gavin Cooper couldn’t understand why his father didn’t leave the family home to him after he passed away.  Instead he left it to one of Gavin’s classmates who went off to Nashville and became a well-known country music star.  Now Gavin must figure out how to get the house back.

Macy Young has had a successful music career but it was filled with heartache along the way.  The death of her best friend Tori sent Macy over the edge and she hasn’t been the same since then.  Returning to her hometown of Sweet Ridge Texas might be just what Macy needs.  She just doesn’t realize it at first. 

Gavin had a major crush on Macy when they were in school, but he didn’t act on it because his best friend Tori asked him not to.  She was afraid if something went wrong, she would be caught in the middle.  Gavin respected Tori’s decision and moved on.  Gavin lost Tori not once, but twice.  The first time was when she moved to Nashville with Macy, and the second was when Tori died.  Gavin still holds Macy responsible for Tori’s death.  Will Gavin be able to put aside his anger long enough to be nice and try to convince Macy to sell the house to him? 

Things heat up when Gavin and Macy stay in the house together.  Neither expected it to go as far as it did.  Was this Gavin’s father’s plan after all, to get Gavin and Macy to realize they are perfect for each other? 

This was a very enjoyable and well written story and a great beginning of a new series.  I really liked Gavin and Macy’s story and can’t wait to read about the other Cooper boys and see how their love lives turn out. 
 

Friday, April 1, 2016

Cowboys Don't Cry (Tanner Brothers Book 1) by Anne McAllister - Review





Synopsis:

Don’t Fence Me In

When Wyoming cowboy Robert Tanner promised to help out the new owner of the Three Bar C, he didn’t expect to have to teach a city girl schoolteacher how to run a ranch. Worse, Maggie MacLeod was a beautiful feisty redhead with flashing eyes and kissable lips — a woman who could tempt a saint.

Tanner was far from a saint. He didn’t do permanent, he didn’t do relationships. The smart thing would be to leave. But a man was only as good as his word. Trouble was, the longer he stayed, the more Maggie got under his skin…

The Tanner Brother series
Book 1: Cowboys Don't Cry
Book 2: Cowboys Don't Quit
Book 3: Cowboys Don't Stay


My Review:

A heartwarming love story

Robert Tanner and Maggie MacLeod’s initial meeting wasn’t exactly what you would call ideal.  When Tanner had gotten thrown off a horse, he opened his eyes to see a pretty angel.  It turns out that angel was Maggie. 

Tanner is a hard working private man.  As the ranch foreman at Three Bar C, he doesn’t have time for anything except work.  He definitely doesn’t have time for a relationship no matter how pretty Maggie is.  Tanner already has one bad marriage that he would rather forget.  He felt he failed his first wife and doesn’t want to do that to another woman.   

City girl Maggie has inherited Three Bar C Ranch and has decided to run it.  Maggie expects Tanner to show her the ropes.  Tanner does everything he can to make Maggie feel uncomfortable and unwanted so she will leave.  But as they spend more time together, they start to grow fond of each other.  Will Tanner be able forget the past and open up to love again?

This is a well written and thought out book.  Maggie and Tanner are total opposites who eventually bring out the best in each other.  If this story is any indication of the rest of the series, I can’t wait to read the other books. 

Kitty Smile